Food Rations

Food rations were set down in the Queen's Regulations. In addition to the daily food rations, every man received one penny a day to buy beer. Wives received 1/2 the rations of their husbands, while children 7-14 received 1/3 the rations and children under 7 1/4 rations.

The two most common forms of meat was salted pork and salted beef, both imported from Great Britain. Fresh meat and other foodstuffs were procured through local contracts. Soldiers could also grow vegetables in local garrison gardens. However, it does not appear there was a garden at Murney Tower.


A third source of food was the regimental canteen. Soldiers could purchase such items as ham or bacon, jams, pickles, and condiments such as ketchup, spices, and brown sugar. Some of these items were imported but were sold to the soldiers duty free.

The wood used to heat the barracks was also rationed. The ration per man was 1/100 of a cord of wood per day. The light ration was one ounce of candle mold per man, or 1/3 of a pint of oil per three hours. The exact amount was dependent upon which region the garrison was located,and the time of year.